ThrottleNet spent a day on the links last week as a hole sponsor for the Ozark Gateway Golf Classic, hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The weather and the company were both worth the trip. Still, the round itself was the smaller part of the story. What matters more is the ministry it pays for, one that reaches students and coaches inside the schools they walk into every day.
Below, we share what FCA does, why this event is so important to its work, and what led us to get involved.
Inside the Mission of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
FCA’s purpose is to guide every coach and athlete toward a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ.
The ministry stands apart from many youth programs because of its approach. Instead of inviting teens to show up at a church or event center, FCA brings its work to campuses, team rooms, and practice fields. Coaches and student leaders who are already part of those spaces carry the message, so faith becomes part of the everyday rhythm of school life.
That approach produces real results. Over the past year in the Ozark Gateway region, FCA recorded:
- Ministry in 37 high schools
- 740 students taking part in weekly huddles
- 53 coaches involved in the ministry
- 147 visits to campuses
- 27 athletes who attended leadership camp
Each figure represents a young person who encountered faith in a setting where they might never have expected to find it.
The Role of the Golf Classic
Played on October 12 at Franklin County Country Club in Washington, Missouri, the Ozark Gateway Golf Classic is among the most important fundraisers for FCA’s work in the area.
The money raised in one afternoon of golf stretches across the entire year. It covers:
- Bibles and study materials used in weekly huddles
- Leadership camp scholarships for students
- Resources for the staff members and volunteer coaches who serve on campus every week
Regional business leaders filled the field this year, joined by several familiar faces: former St. Louis Cardinals pitchers Ricky Horton and Andy Benes and former St. Louis Blues forward Reed Low. Playing alongside local sports figures was a fun bonus for plenty of golfers. Even so, the best part of the day was knowing each group on the course was helping fund another year of ministry in area schools.
Why ThrottleNet Chose to get Involved
As a Gold-level sponsor, ThrottleNet underwrote a hole on the course and sent two foursomes to play.
Our support for FCA ties back to a belief that guides how we do business: strong community relationships are just as valuable as any deal. Our work centers on helping local organizations operate more effectively, and the communities those organizations serve are the same ones we call home.
Spending a day with fellow business owners while raising funds that go straight into nearby schools, close to where our employees and clients live, is an easy investment to make. Thank you to FCA and the Ozark Gateway team for their year-round commitment, and to every golfer and sponsor who helped make the day a success. We can’t wait to tee it up again next year. To see what other Nonprofits and Charities we work with Click Here!
